As a dairy farmer with 850 cows and four staff across two farms in Hiwinui near Palmerston North, James Stewart knows exactly what it takes to feel prepared for MPI’s future milk cooling regulations.
“Farmers have had various warnings about the future regulations. I knew my old cooling systems weren’t performing as well as they should. Investing in new equipment in advance and knowing it will comply with the future standards, gives me one less thing to worry about. It’s a total relief.”
While writing out some rather large cheques for his new plant, James’ role as the provincial president of Federated Farmers in Manawatu/Rangitikei helped him focus on the big picture.
“Given the dairy industry’s recent down-turn, it’s easy for people to be cynical about increased costs, especially costs relating to compliance. But I know the pay-back will be worth it. Not just for my farm, but for New Zealand’s international reputation as a producer of high quality milk. It’s a competitive, global marketplace. We need to keep proving that we measure up.”
When faced with change, James is philosophical. “Change isn’t always easy but it’s inevitable. We can fight it or embrace it. We’re part of an evolution.” Agri-tech companies that specialise in cloud based data monitoring is one example of that. One such company, Levno is an example of companies that are providing a smart tech solution to address the impending MPI raw milk cooling regulations being introduced June 2018.
As a nation of world-class farmers reliant on global markets, James suggests that MPI’s future regulations will ultimately benefit New Zealand dairy farmers. “Investing in new plant and innovative technology helps me do my job i.e. produce milk that meets several criteria and passes various tests – temperature, cooling times, no antibiotics etc. It’s a bit like buying a new tractor. Technology is another tool that helps me produce a top-quality product.”
Dairy farms were once much smaller so it was easier for farmers to know what was happening in every paddock, trough and shed. “As farms get bigger and more staff are employed, the risk of something going wrong increases. Technology helps farmers check things off so important tasks are not forgotten. It alerts them to problems before it’s too late. As the dairy industry is scrutinised more and more, technology provides farmers and their communities with proof of their impact on the environment. It reduces wastage – less spoilt milk ends up going down drains and more troughs are filled with the right levels of water.”
Levno technology makes it easier for data to be collected, filed and shared electronically – saving farmers much time and reducing the need for information to be duplicated in print. “All of my staff have smart phones now,” James explains. “They rely on them for everything. They use them to keep their timesheets up-to-date and record information about the animals. They even use them for drafting.”
Traditionally, it’s taken a lot of time and effort for farmers to monitor and analyse their milk production. James says, “Today, with technology, it’s never been easier.”
He adds, “Someone told me once that the difference between an average farm and a good farm is two weeks. Changing one variable can affect the performance of an entire farm very quickly. Technology that puts farmers in the driver’s seat and at the forefront of smarter and faster decision-making is exciting. It’s real progress.”
Visit their site: www.levno.com.
As appeared in Farmers Weekly 12 June edition.